Sex, sport and doping: conflicts for bioethical analysis

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Bioethics
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Sports require gender differentiation due to sex-linked performance characteristics.
• Doping is condemned for health risks and artificial performance enhancement.
• Transgender athletes with typically male testosterone levels face eligibility barriers in female competition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the bioethical considerations for athletes diagnosed with Disorders of Sex Development (DSD).
• To differentiate DSD cases from transgender and doping scenarios in sports eligibility.
• To address the unique biological status of DSD athletes competing in female categories.

Main Methods:

• Bioethical analysis of DSD athletes' eligibility.
• Comparison of DSD physiology with typical male and female endocrine profiles.
• Review of existing regulations concerning gender and doping in sports.

Main Results:

• Athletes with DSD are biologically female and do not use doping substances.
• Their endocrine profiles and genetics differ from transgender athletes with typically male testosterone levels.
• DSD cases do not fit established criteria for exclusion based on doping or male endocrine advantage.

Conclusions:

• Athletes with Disorders of Sex Development present a distinct case requiring separate bioethical consideration.
• Their biological status as women and lack of doping warrant fair competition in female categories.
• A nuanced bioethical framework is needed to address DSD athletes' inclusion in sports.